Petrin Lookout Tower

The Petřín Lookout Tower (Petřínská rozhledna) is a 63.5-metre steel observation tower built in 1891 on Petřín Hill, directly inspired by the Eiffel Tower — which Czech tourists had seen at the 1889 Paris World's Fair — and constructed at a ratio of roughly 1:5 to the original. Though far shorter than its Parisian model, its position atop the hill places the observation deck at 324 metres above sea level, offering one of the widest panoramic views in Prague, taking in the Old Town, Prague Castle, and on clear days the Bohemian countryside beyond. The tower was built in just four months using 175 tonnes of iron, and today features a double-helix staircase of 299 steps as well as a lift. On the same hill sit the Mirror Maze, Štefánik Observatory, and several historic gardens — making Petřín one of the most rewarding and crowd-free alternatives to the busier city centre viewpoints.